What side dish to serve with meatloaf and butternut squash?

Question

To me it is a weird combo. I was going to make meatloaf and mashed, but when I got home I realized I had no potatoes. I did however have a butternut squash from a friend. I never make butternut squash, but now it is happily baking next to the meatloaf and I can't decide if it's a starch or a veggie. I have :
beans
rice
pasta
noodles
corn
greenbeans
tomatoes
cucumbers
peas
carrots
garlic bread
Thanks

Answer 1

Garlic bread brings a nice texture and aroma to the table, but what may be lacking is an eye pleasing color combination. If the squash is a bright yellow, bring the spectrum around another direction by going with a green veggie, like your peas or green beans. If the squash is very pale, then compliment the yellow with bright orange carrots, or red beans.

The tomatoes would look and taste great in a crispy, fresh salad.

A good table will try to make as many senses as possible, sit up and take notice. Taste. Smell. Touch. Sight. Hearing. To make them notice, you strive for contrast. Sharp/sweet. Aromatic/subtle. Cruncy/mushy. Pale/bright. Silent/crunchy.

Answer 2

I would slice the tomatoes and cucumbers with a little dressing (Italian or creamy Italian or ranch), and serve that as a cold salad for the side. You can mash the butternut squash with butter and cream and garlic just like mashed potatoes, that would be lovely.

Answer 3

Butternut squash = a veggie.

I'd make a salad w/ the tomatoes & cucumbers to make a cool contrast to the other hot foods.

Serve w/ garlic bread or rice. You can even toss some peas in w/ the rice.

Answer 4

My favorite is maple roasted... Cut bnut squash into equal size cubes for easy roasting. Toss in a bowl with a couple of tblspns melted butter, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, and 1/4 cup or so of Pure Maple Syrup. Place in a single layer on a foil lined baking sheet, bake at 350 for approx 30mins or until tender. The squash will carmelize and it's fabulous!!

Answer 5

I consider the squash a starch therefore you should be baking it whole and not mash it. Serve te green beans - most of the others are carbs toss in the salad though with tomatoes and cukes, Yummy

Answer 6

green beans:

*************Dijon Green Beans

1-1/2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed or 3 can of green beans
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
1 cup of grape tomatoes, halved
½ small red/ purple onion, sliced
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

Place fresh beans in a large saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil. Cook, uncover, for 8-10 minutes or until crisp-tender. Or open canned green beans.

Meanwhile, for dressing, whisk the vinegar, oil, mustard, salt and pepper in a small bow. Drain beans; place in a large bowl. Add tomatoes and onion. Drizzle with dressing and toss a coat. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Answer 7

Garlic Bread

Answer 8

Steam the carrots.

Treat the squash as a starch.

Answer 9

I would call it a veggie, and make some buttered noodles (maybe with parmesan if you have any) or rice.

I'd cube some tomatoes and slice cukes into them & stir in Italian dressing as a quick, refreshing salad, too.

Answer 10

Green beans. When cooked, sprinkle with a wee bit of garlic salt and some toasted almonds slices.

How soon untill dinner? I'll be there as quick as I can.